Improvement in links for valve-gears of steam-engines



1. H. LUTHER. LINKS Fon VALVE-GEAR oFsTEAM-ENGINES. 10.186,403, Patented .12.11.16, 1877.

N PETERS, PHDTO-LQTHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTN. D. (lV

UNITED STATES PATENT (DEEIGE` JAMES H. LUTHER, OF KARNS CITY, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN LINKS FCR VALVE-GEARS OF STEAM-ENGINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 186,403, dated January 16, 1877; application tiled i December 21, 1876.

To all 'whom it may concern:`

Be it known that I, JAMES H. LUTHER, of Karns City, Butler county, Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in' Links for Valve-Gear of Steam-Engines;

y and I do hereby declare the following to be a full and correct description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,

' in which- Figure l is a side elevation of my improved link, and Fig. 2 is an edge view of the same. The same letter of reference indicates Athe same part in both tgures.

the sides ofthe link; B B, the lugs, to which,

by bolts C C, the connecting-rods F G are attached. D marks the wrist-pin .of the valvecrank shaft, which is held in place in the link by the flanges ff, and rotates on its bolt d in the usual manner. In a slot, S, in the top of the link, is pivoted `at the top, on the line of the link-arc, by means of pin a, the spring hook E, having the .form represented, and actl uated by a spiral spring, J, placed beneath one ot' its ends in a cylindrical recess in the link provided to receive it. The lower side of the hook E is inclined, as shown, so that when the link descends the hook is forced open by the wrist-pin and receives and supports it. The hook is retracted and the wrist-pin re-v leased by pulling `on the cord H attached in an eye, b, in the top of the hook.

The cord may be -passed over a pulley to any required distance, and be controlled by the engineer who isA in charge of the engine. The rise and fall of the link reverses the operation ofthe valve-eccentrics in the usual and wellknown manner.

My improvement possesses some important advantages over other forms of link known to me, by reason of its simplicity, cheapness, and smallliability to get out of order. The hook E, being placed directly under the center of the stud D, holds the link more lirmly in place, and produces much less friction and cramping than if it were-attached at the end. The spring being incased in a recess is better protected from breaking, and in case of fracture can be removed and replaced without stopping the engine-a point of great importance in pumping'oil-wells, Where the stoppage oi' the pump is often the cause of great damage and loss. 4

My link is largely in use in the oil regions', and meets the approval of oil men.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- Y The combination, with the reversing-link of a steam-engine, ot' the springhook E, having the form, and pivoted, as shown, located in a slot in the top of the link, and operated by a spiral spring incloscd in a recess, as shown,

and catching directly underthe wristpin of the valve-crank, all substantially as and for the purposes specified.

rIhe above specification of my said invention signed and witnessed at Washington this 20th day of December, A. D. 1876.

JAMES H. LUTHER. Witnesses:

HENRY B. MUNN,

` GHAs. ESTANsBUEY. 

